Alex Oriakhi: Eight Points, One Rebound

Alex Oriakhi had trouble of all kinds Monday against Pittsburgh, starting with two early fouls that had him on the bench for most of the first half.

In the second, Jim Calhoun was increasingly frustrated with Oriakhi's play and kept sending him to the bench.

"I'm not sure if he was better sitting or playing," Calhoun said. "I'm just very honest. I love Alex to death. With a body like that and the games he's had this year, he left a lot of that back in Maui, it appears to me. He's not playing well. I think he's got a chance to be a very good player. He's not proving right now he's the player I know he's capable of being. That's very honest. I love him. I love him as a kid."

Oriakhi had eight points and one rebound in UConn's 78-63 loss. He has not had a double-double since posting 15 points and 17 rebounds against Michigan State and 18 points and 11 rebounds against Kentucky. He came in averaging 11.4 points and 9.9 rebounds.

"It was hard getting in foul trouble, but I thought I played bad," Oriakhi said. "The only thing I can do is learn and get better from it. I wasn't rebounding the way I'm capable of. That wasn't the real me out there."

UConn out-rebounded Pitt by three and had 20 offensive rebounds. But players like guard Jeremy Lamb (eight rebounds) and small forward Roscoe Smith (eight) were responsible for that. Charles Okwandu had four points and four rebounds. Tyler Olander had two points and three rebounds.

"We're disappointed with our inside game, certainly," Calhoun said. "Obviously there was great promise [with Oriakhi]. There still is. It's hard because I'm just trying to use [Okwandu] more, so Charles gets half a pass."

2 Comments

Charles Okwandu is the worst big man in the program's history, no wait, he is the worst big man in the history of big men. What exactly does he have on Coach. Please get him where he belongs cutting oranges for the team at half time, he stinks! he should never play another minute and while you're at it, take the Albertus Magnus college transfer Donnell Beverly and have him fill the water bottles because he has no business on any basketball floor.

Where was Oriakhi, Olander and Wolf?!
I don't think he has the luxury of easing Wolf into the lineup. He needs the help, NOW!
Also, Coobs-"McDonalds"? Will he EVER show up or is he another victim of the CT press over-hype,(Ater who?!)
Napier - great find!